ACCESS Initiative targets inequities in cell therapy

NMDP^SM and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) are taking aim at inequities in patient access to treatment and treatment outcomes.

The ASTCT-NMDP ACCESS Initiative brings together stakeholders across the blood stem cell transplant and cell therapy space to create sustained, meaningful change. 

Despite advances like partially matched donors that improve transplant success rates, disparities in access and outcomes persist. That’s why, in 2022, NMDP and ASTCT launched the ACCESS Initiative—to eliminate barriers to cell therapy. This bold initiative focuses on policy and clinical practice changes to drive impactful improvements across the transplant ecosystem. 

The ACCESS Initiative is dedicated to breaking down barriers to transplant and cell therapy for all patients, regardless of background or financial status. This initiative focuses on: 

• Increasing awareness among medical professionals, patients, caregivers and potential donors  
• Facilitating economic empowerment 

The Awareness Committee focuses on initiatives that will increase awareness among hematologists/oncologists about new transplant and cell therapy research and treatment options. It’s also working to extend awareness to the patient community to empower them to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions about their care. 

The committee’s work has already led to the Regional Physician Exchange Program that gives hematology/oncology physicians and transplant physicians a platform to collaborate. 

To help increase awareness, we also need to improve access to transplant so that all patients can find their cure. As a starting point to address overall barriers, the Awareness Committee is focusing on: 

• Patient knowledge by developing easy-to-access educational resources that are representative of all the communities we service
• Workforce development in transplant and cell therapy by creating a pipeline program that’s welcoming for all trainees
• Data optimization to gain a center-level understanding of health equity metrics that offer insights into areas where there are greater or acute needs for improving access 

The Economic Empowerment Committee is working on identifying patients who are at high risk of having poor outcomes due to economic barriers such as inadequate or no insurance coverage. By developing initiatives at the patient, center and policy levels, the committee aims to improve access and survival rates.

A recent nationwide survey of all 50 states, conducted by this committee, revealed significant gaps in Medicaid coverage for blood stem cell transplants and cell therapy. In response, NMDP and ASTCT are taking action:

• Developing clinical guidelines that state Medicaid offices can reference
• Advocating for improved coverage in targeted states
• Working with state programs to align with current medical standards

Read the full analysis published in Transplantation and Cellular Therapy journal.

By working together, we can eliminate barriers and ensure every patient has access to life-saving treatment.

The work has only begun. The ACCESS Initiative needs broad support and participation from across the transplant and cell therapy ecosystem to overcome the chronic barriers to treatment and ensure that all patients can find a donor. This includes: 

• Transplant, cell therapy, and hematology/oncology clinicians and institutions
• Program administrators
• Health policy and health equity experts
• Health services researchers 
• Payer organizations
• Federal and state stakeholders

Discover how you can get involved in the ACCESS Initiative to increase access to transplant and cell therapy and reduce inequities.